Support -To support means to give
evidence and/or present facts. A student may use specific examples or
instances to support an answer. Support lends itself to an organization
pattern listing items in order of importance. Useful action
verbs/phrases - Prove it, explain why, back up, give reasons, help,
assist, give facts, use example from Additional synonyms -substantiate,
corroborate, fortify, bolster, certify, verify, confirm, establish, vouch,
validate, document, advocate, defend, promote, reinforce, justify, promote,
champion.
TEACHING AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
TIPS:
1) Paragraph Punch and Essay
Punch- these websites provide step by step
interactive instructions in the writing process. It is free and very easy
to use and provides practice on writing paragraphs and essays. Students are
given a writing topic, answer questions, write supporting details, and
end up with a finished writing piece in a text file that can be printed, or
copied and pasted into a word document. The only downside is occasional pop-ups
asking you to try the full version of the program...just close the window and
keep on working. You do not have to register in order to use the website.
This is a GREAT resource for remediation and the students who need extra help in
writing. They can also access it from home if they have internet connection.
Teachers may want to download the trial version of the software for more writing
topics, also there is a home version. The price seems reasonable.
2) E-mail
-
Write a message to your state legislators urging support
of legislation or funding. Use an argument and support your idea with
facts. Two hot topics now are general funding for schools, raising the cigarette
tax and prohibition of selling junk/snack food. Look up the bill numbers
by topic here, search bills by
keyword here, find your legislator and send
email here.
3) Inspiration/Kidspiration- Again,
this visual organizer can be used to brainstorm ideas, write supporting
statements, and at the click of a button, the concept map can be turned into an
organized outline to use in a writing piece. Don't forget to use templates to
make using the program easier. Click for online
examples
4) Online Dictionaries-
Look up the word on online dictionaries as a whole class activity to introduce
and brainstorm ideas and activities about the word. Use the PC to TV device or
other projection system if possible. Here are some good online
dictionaries:
-Miriam Webster
seems to be the easiest and most concise http://www.m-w.com/home.htm
-Your Dictionary.com
at http://www.yourdictionary.com/
Similar to above
-Wordsmyth http://www.wordsmyth.net/live/home.php
This one is interesting... when you click on the word to see the definitions,
more sections automatically appear, which could give ideas for instruction or
activities - such as synonyms, similar words, examples in a sentence, etc.
-One Look (
searches for the word in a multitude of different online dictionaries)
http://www.onelook.com
For more ideas or help using any of these
computer programs or websites, please contact your technology resource teachers: